SCOTTISH Land and Estates, the rural business organisation, has appointed a new press and public affairs manager to strengthen their parliamentary engagement team ahead of a busy year for rural legislation in Holyrood.

Cameron Gillies joins the team after serving as chief of staff to the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Rachael Hamilton MSP. As well as managing the rural affairs portfolio for the opposition in Holyrood, Cameron previously worked as an adviser to Scotland Office Minister John Lamont. Prior to working in Scottish politics, he led the ‘Fake News’ desk of political analytics firm Polis Analysis.

Hailing from rural Aberdeenshire, Cameron graduated from the University of Edinburgh before his career in public affairs. He also has experience working in rural businesses in his home village of Alford.

Outside of work, he serves in the Army Reserves with the 6th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland - a duty he will continue during his new role with SLE. The organisation is a member of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and has signed up for the Armed Forces Covenant.

Cameron joins at a busy political period, with a raft of legislation coming down the line that has the potential to affect rural livelihoods and the way land is managed. He will be helping to lead SLE’s engagement with politicians, government, and other stakeholders throughout this period.

Cameron Gillies said: “Rural Scotland is facing some huge challenges in the coming months and years, not least legislatively. I know that SLE will be playing a leading role in helping to tackle these and get things right for our rural communities. I am really looking forward to playing my part in this.”

Chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates, Sarah-Jane Laing, said: “Cameron will be a fantastic addition to our team. We are delighted that he has joined us at this incredibly busy time. His ability to get things done in Scottish politics will be a real asset for us as we look to engage effectively with politicians and government officials. Having led the opposition’s approach to rural legislation in recent years, his experience will be especially helpful in shaping our approach to new laws in agriculture, nature, wildlife, and land reform."